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Eatery Island receives an oasis

Graphic communication students revamped a local small business' food trailer

A local small business food trailer called Eatery Island had few graphics and little visual appeal before three graphic communication majors got their hands on it, tallying 550 hours of labor for their project.

After the revamp was complete, Eatery Island owners Brandan and Christine Gute received positive feedback and are very pleased with the results of their new and improved food trailer

A recent transformation of a local small business' food trailer took the external appearance of the trailer from plain to fame in just a few short months.

Three senior graphic communication majors in the industrial technology department decided to revamp the Eatery Island food trailer as part of the requirement to receive their degree.

"Background and coursework in our department was very helpful throughout the duration of the project," said Alex McLeland. "Our major focuses on hands-on learning and real-world experience, so this project was a perfect way for us to display our knowledge and experience."

Logan Wittmer, Chris Harris and McLeland coordinated, planned, managed and completed the project, tallying 550 hours of labor. This complex project included major components such as cost determination, scheduling, labor, production considerations and logistics.

"The graphic technologies program places a great deal of emphasis on not only hands-on production so students can experience the issues related to graphic production, but also the range of experience today’s graphic industry is seeking in its newest professionals," said Jim Volgarino, graphic communications lab assistant and instructor in the industrial technology department.

"The students had to decide how they would approach the project, plan out the final design, figure out what materials and supplies were available, and how the project would be funded," said Volgarino.

All of these decisions were made while consulting with the owners of Island Eatery, Brandan and Christine Gute, who were very pleased with the results and with saving 30 to 40 percent of the overall cost.

"Seeing the final results of the trailer, we were speechless," said Brandan Gute. "Having a group of professional students produce fantastic results for our business has been wonderful."

As the Gute's continue to sell corn dogs, funnel cakes, nachos and hot dogs from their trailer at events across the state, the students have big hopes for the outcome of the business.

"I can only hope that this can work as a marketing tool for them and make their business even better," said Harris.

With upcoming events on the way, the satisfaction from both ends was mutual.

"The most satisfying part of this project for us was seeing what came into the shop and what left," said Wittmer, about the drastic changes that were made to the trailer.

What came into the shop was a trailer with few graphics and little visual appeal. What left the shop was a masterpiece of color, creativity and innovation.